After missing last week due to Thanksgiving, I have a lot to get through. Some of it is good news, while some isn’t so. I’ll start with the biggest bombshell casting in Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman in Superman vs. Batman, but I’ll also include Aaron Paul and Russell Crowe’s casting in Fathers and Daughters. For release dates, I’ll have information about Alice in Wonderland 2, The Veronica Mars movie, Bourne 5 and Warcraft. The rest will include plans for a J.R.R. Tolkien novel and the unfortunate passing of Paul Walker.

Read on for more information.

Casting

Gal Gadot (Fast & Furious 6) will be the first live-action Wonder Woman to grace the big screen. Rumors have been flying for the potential casting in Zack Snyder’s Superman vs. Batman movie (note: title isn’t for sure). The Man of Steel sequel cast Ben Affleck as Batman earlier and will see Henry Cavill reprise his role as Superman. The movie will hit theaters July 17, 2015. (Source: EW)

Aaron Paul (AMC’s Breaking Bad) and Russell Crowe joined Fathers and Daughters, too. Gabriele Muccino (Seven Pounds) will direct the drama that also features Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia!) – who will be Paul’s love interest. The movie doesn’t have a release date yet. (Source: Variety)

Release Dates

Alice in Wonderland 2 – another inevitable Hollywood sequel – has been added to the 2016 movie slate. It’s far off but it’ll officially release on May 27, 2016 with James Bobin (The Muppets) set to direct Johnny Deep, who is reprising his role. (Source: Collider)

A year after the huge Kickstarter effort, Rob Thomas’ film continuation of the hit TV show Veronica Mars will land in theaters. This doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be a wide release, but fans of the show should circle March 14, 2014 on their calendars. Plenty of actors are set to reprise their roles, but star Kristen Bell is the biggest name onboard. (Source: THR)

The next Bourne (or perhaps we should just call it the Alex Cross franchise now) movie has been penciled in for an August 14, 2015 release. Therefore, it’s just another movie hitting theaters in the very crowded 2015 year. Jeremy Renner will return as Alex Cross and all indications are that Matt Damon won’t be back. Justin Lin (Fast & Furious 6) will direct the picture. (Source: Cinema Blend)

Scared by Star Wars: Episode VII, Warcraft has pushed itself back into 2016. Duncan Jones’ (Moon) fantasy action 3D movie will now release on March 11, 2016. Probably a smart decision for them, huh? Ben Foster (X-Men: The Last Stand) is the biggest name so far in the film. (Source: Collider)

Other

Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fans will get a glimpse inside J.R.R. Tolkien’s life because a biopic is on the horizon. Tentatively titled Tolkien, the movie doesn’t have a lot more information out. Just the prospect is exciting, though. (Source: The Verge)

The last piece of news I thought I’d mention isn’t of the good variety. Sadly, Paul Walker (The Fast & Furious franchise) has passed after a tragic car accident. This probably isn’t the first you’ve heard about it, but I wanted to mention it anyway. Rest in Peace. (Source: CNN)

Jordan, who currently resides in Seattle, WA, has slowly become a film fanatic over the past couple of years. He attributes his love for film to the smash hit THE DARK KNIGHT which has created an (un)healthy obsession with both Christopher Nolan and the Batman franchise. Although he appreciates all genres of film, his favorite movies are typically psychological thrillers, with an emphasis on non-traditional narratives.